Stew Leonard Sr., 'World's Largest Dairy Store' Founder, Dies At 93

NORWALK, CT — Stew Leonard Sr., the 93-year-old founder of the Stew Leonard's supermarket chain, died Wednesday at a New York hospital following a brief illness.

The store announced the senior Leonard's passing Thursday afternoon on the store's website and Facebook page, along with an obituary detailing his life and career.

"We are sad to announce that Stew Leonard Sr., the founder of Stew Leonard's, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2023, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York," store officials said on Facebook.

Both state and local officials paid tribute to Leonard on Thursday, noting the legacy he leaves behind and the important role his stores have played in their communities.

In a statement sent to Patch, Mayor Harry Rilling said the entire Norwalk community mourned the loss of Leonard and reflected on the impact his business has had on the city over the years.

"Stew Leonard Sr. made a profound impact on our community," Rilling said. "To Norwalk, Stew Leonard's is much more than a grocery store; it's part of our community, a way of life and a place people can go and feel welcomed by employees who always have a smile on their faces. Stew Leonard Sr.'s friendly customer service business model, where customers are greeted by employees dressed up in costumes, speaks to his empathetic nature and generous and uplifting character, which has led to thousands of people in Norwalk and countless people across the tri-state area genuinely loving the Stew Leonard's experience."

Rilling also noted Leonard's grocery store has employed thousands of Norwalk residents for over five decades, allowing families to live and work in the community they love.

"The grocery store has always gone above and beyond for our community, leading holiday events, charity fundraisers and food drives for those in need," Rilling said. "We can't thank Stew Leonard Sr. enough for his lasting contributions to Norwalk that he has passed on to his family to carry on. The city of Norwalk sends our deepest condolences to the Leonard family as they mourn this tremendous loss."

Governor Ned Lamont said Thursday on Twitter he was saddened to hear of Leonard's passing.

"Stew founded an iconic Connecticut business that is more than a grocery store," Lamont said, "it's a place where thousands of families have created memories over several generations. My heart goes out to the entire Leonard family and everyone at at Stew Leonard's."

Norwalk Chamber of Commerce President Brian Griffin made note of Leonard's legacy, which lives on through his stores, the strong brand he created and his family.

"It is hard to imagine a more well-known regional name than Stew Leonard," Griffin said in an email to Patch, "and what a legacy he has left with this marvelous family business. Not only does it remain an incredibly strong brand, but one that is held in high esteem and known all over for its quality and customer service. But of course his dedicated family is his greatest legacy, as they continue to expand and enhance this family business and to be strong supporters of the communities in which they reside. Our condolences to the entire family."

A Westport resident, Leonard was born in Norwalk on Dec. 1, 1929. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marianne Guthman Leonard, and their four children, as well as 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The family-owned business operates stores in seven locations, including Norwalk, Danbury and Newington, as well as New York and New Jersey. The company is currently run by Leonard's son, Stew Jr., with help from his siblings Tom Leonard, Beth Leonard Hollis and Jill Leonard Tavello.

Leonard was a graduate of Norwalk High School and of the University of Connecticut's School of Agriculture. He first worked for his family's dairy business at Clover Farms Dairy in Norwalk, a state-of-the-art dairy complete with a pasteurizing and bottling plant and fresh milk delivered daily by trucks with plastic cows on the front that "mooed" for the neighborhood children, according to the store.

In December 1969, he opened Stew Leonard's flagship Norwalk store, which at the time sold only eight items. The store became known as the "World's Largest Dairy Store" by Ripley's Believe It or Not and earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest dollar sales per square foot of selling space, according to the store.

Leonard's stores are sometimes referred to as the "Disneyland of dairy stores" due to their over-the-top theming, which includes a country fair atmosphere, walk-around costumed characters and singing animatronics throughout the store that keep children entertained while parents shop.

In a touching tribute posted to the store's website, Stew Leonard Jr. said he was still trying to wrap his head around the loss of his father.

"Of course I'm sad and hurting because I'll miss our daily phone calls," Stew Leonard Jr. wrote. "He always had an inspirational insight offering hope and a brighter future. Boy, am I going to miss that! He also journaled daily in his 'that’s good' book. I'm going to continue that legacy."

He also shared memories of how excited his father would be to visit one of the stores, talk with customers and take pictures with team members.

"I was lucky enough to stand on your shoulders, Dad," Stew Leonard Jr. wrote, "and by the way, I'll keep trying to find the best meatball, marinara sauce and pizza. And every time I cook salmon, I'll think of you saying that the inside needs to be the perfect pink...Dad, I'm really going to miss you. I was lucky and grateful to have an amazing Dad."

A memorial service and burial will be private, and a celebration of life will be announced at a later date, according to the store.

Read the full obituary here.